Greenpeace activists in kayaks and boats have stormed a cargo ship bringing diesel cars into the UK.
The campaigners made their way next to the 23,498-tonne carrier, bringing Volkswagen cars from Germany, in the Thames Estuary in Kent this morning.
They are reportedly hanging from the 89ft unloading door and have threatened to stay there until Volkswagen decides to turn the ship back.
The campaigners made their way next to the 23,498-tonne carrier, bringing Volkswagen cars from Germany , in the Thames Estuary in Kent this morning
Greenpeace activists in kayaks and boats have boarded a ship bringing diesel cars into the UK
They are reportedly hanging from the 89ft unloading door and have threatened to stay there until Volkswagen decides to turn the ship back
And at Sheerness docks in Kent, where the ship is heading, around 40 Greenpeace volunteers scaled the fences and gained access to the car park where thousands of diesel cars await collection from suppliers
Two Greenpeace activists on board the cargo ship, carrying Volkswagen diesel cars from Germany
Activists preparing to hang from the 89ft unloading door of the cargo ship. They have threatened to stay there until Volkswagen decides to turn the ship back
And at Sheerness docks in Kent, where the ship is heading, around 40 Greenpeace volunteers scaled the fences and gained access to the car park where thousands of diesel cars await collection from suppliers.
Janet Barker, a support worker from Powys, Wales, and one of the volunteers taking action, told Kent Online: ‘Diesel cars are toxic – so we’re here to block VW imports on behalf of all of the children who are the most acutely affected by the health impacts of diesel fumes.
‘The government says we need to wait another 23 years for dirty diesels to be banned. We can’t wait that long. So we’re stepping in and seizing all of VW’s diesel cars to stop them harming people’s health and the environment.
‘We’re not leaving until VW takes its toxic cars back to Germany. As Europe’s largest car maker, VW needs to wake up, smell the emissions and go fully electric.’
The volunteers at Sheerness trying to immobilise all of the diesel cars by removing the keys.
They are also lifting the bonnets and labelling the engines with messages from 8,000 people, including many car owners, calling on VW to ditch diesel.
VW admitted to cheating diesel emissions tests in 2015, forcing the firm to pay compensation to U.S. motorists and leading to a regulatory crackdown on diesel, including new levies and a ban on sales in Britain and France from 2040.
Two small boats are seen drawing close to the huge cargo ship on the Thames Estuary in Kent
A boat draws close to the huge cargo ship, carrying Volkswagen diesel cars from Germany
The campaigners made their way next to the 23,498-tonne carrier, bringing Volkswagen cars from Germany , in the Thames Estuary in Kent this morning
The volunteers at Sheerness trying to immobilise all of the diesel cars by removing the keys
Patrick – a doctor living in London said on the Greenpeace website: ‘I’ve commuted by bicycle in the city for the last seven years and have experienced the extent of air pollution first hand.
‘The situation is dire. My commute from Hackney to Camberwell takes me through some of the worst pollution black spots. I often find myself retching as I pass through the traffic.
‘Early research has shown the deadly effects it can have on our health. To ignore this, or kick the can down the road, is a crime.
‘I got involved with Greenpeace because I found the lack of action being taken on a variety of environmental issues quite depressing and distressing.
Once I joined up and started to get stuck in, I realised how effective direct action and focussed campaigns can be in encouraging big business to behave responsibly. I’ve earned that big business often listens to us when we raise awareness and inform the public.’
Activists have hung a 50 square metre banner on the ship’s unloading ramp showing the face of two-year-old Sephie covered by an air pollution mask
Another banner could be seen being displayed from a rigid inflatable with the words ‘Ditch Diesel’ on it
Greenpeace volunteers unfurl a banner on a ship carrying Volkswagen vehicles for import as it sails on the Thames Estuary
A Greenpeace volunteer holds a bunch of car keys after activists entered the vehicle park in a protest against Volkswagen diesel vehicles
Police officers walk through amongst new imported cars, some with their bonnets raised, after Greenpeace activists entered the vehicle park in a protest against Volkswagen
Activists have hung a 50 square metre banner on the ship’s unloading ramp showing the face of two-year-old Sephie covered by an air pollution mask.
Pennant banners emblazoned with Sephie’s portrait have also been hoisted on gantries surrounding the vast car park.
Another banner could be seen being displayed from a rigid inflatable with the words ‘Ditch Diesel’ on it.
Kent Police have confirmed they are at the docks.